Walking Down Mother Nature’s Aisle

There’s no doubt an outdoor wedding on the banks of one of Southern Maryland’s many rivers or the Chesapeake Bay makes for a beautiful event.  Outdoor weddings take a little extra planning but can be incredible. There is nothing more magical than walking down the aisle with Mother Nature.  

A few things to keep in mind:
 

“Always have a back-up plan,“ warned Lisette Waser, who plans weddings at Swan Point Yacht and Country Club in Charles County. “Think about the time of day and time of month” due to the area’s very hot and humid summer.  Always have a tent in case of rain or extreme heat.  

Think of your guests.  Wedding planner and officiate Mary Rahall agrees: “You need a cover for disc jockeys and caterers and you certainly don’t want your guests sitting out in the rain!” Rahall, who has coordinated weddings in Southern Maryland for more than 25 years, also warned about the heat. “It can be very hot – I carry smelling salts,” she said. “I’ve only had to use them three times in 27 years. In cases like that you’ve got to keep the ceremony short and get those jackets off [the groomsmen]. Have extra water or cool towels on hand for the extreme heat.

Timing is important.  Wedding and portrait photographer Amanda Banning Pankhurst said she enjoys photographing outdoor weddings at Sotterley Plantation. She said she prefers the natural light available outdoors, adding, “An hour before sunset always makes for beautiful light, so try to plan for the end of your ceremony to [be] there.”

Outdoor Wedding Specialists

While this is certainly not a complete list, we think it’s a good resource to get you started.

Bailey’s Catering and Party Rentals (Olde Breton Inn)
Leonardtown; 301-475-2699
baileyspartyrentals@gmail.com www.baileyspartyrentals.com
A full-service caterer for on- and off-premises events. Rental of tables, chairs, tents, restroom trailers, linens, dance floors and accessories.

Celebration Tents & Amusements, LLC
410-414-9744/1-800-516-3911
www.celebrationtents.com
Tents, tables, chairs, accessories, DJs and lighting.

Elegant Events Décor
Leonardtown; 301-481-4305
eleganteventsdecor@yahoo.com www.eleganteventsdecor.webs.com
Design company specializing in decorating for any event.

Elite Beatz Entertainment
301-884-4152
jimmy@elitebeatz.com
DJ, photography and rental services, including rental of tents, tables, chairs and more.  

Fantasy World Entertainment
Prince Frederick; 410-414-9400 www.fwworld.com
Rentals of tents, tables, chairs, staging and dance floors, columns, lights, etc. Providing entertainers, event planning and photography.  

From This Day Forward & Waldorf Engraving & Printing (Mary Rahall)
Waldorf; 301-367-5163
301-645-0320
mary@fromthisdayforwardmd.com
Wedding planning, officiating and invitations.

It’s A Celebration
Mechanicsville; 301-884-5375
celebrationdecor@yahoo.com    
Specializing in decorating wedding ceremonies and receptions. Decorated arches, drapery systems, columns and props.  

Reverend Allen Delaney, WCM
Prince Frederick; 443-404-1048
aedelan76@hotmail.com
Wedding officiant.  

Reverend Joe Orlando
Leonardtown; 240-298-6980
reverend.joe@mac.com
Wedding officiant.

Something Special by Tracy
Mechanicsville; 301-884-3551 sspecialbytracy@aol.com
Specializing in full-service wedding rentals and event planning and services. Rent everything from air-conditioned bathroom trailers to tents, and live plants to fine linens.

Stress-Less Event Decorating
Mechanicsville; 301-885-7548 stress.less.decorating@gmail.com www.stresslessdecorating.com
Rentals of tablecloths, chair covers, overlays, napkins, centerpieces and custom accessories. Plus different designs and styles of cakes and cupcakes.

Top Hat Party Design
Huntingtown; 1-888-286-RENT eventplanner@chesapeake.net www.tophatpartydesign.com
Specializing in all outdoor wedding rental needs, such as tents, tables, chairs, china, plants and decorative items.